Poor bowel control post birth

[SunnyUpNorth]

I had a baby 3 weeks ago. 1.5 hours pushing, he was back to back and eventually I had an episiotomy and ventouse.

All is healing well but I am having embarrassing problems with wind and pooing.

Quite often I will just stand up or move and I'll pass wind without even realising I was about to. If I do realise, despite my best efforts, I can't hold it in.

It's the same with poos. I'll suddenly realise with no warning that I need to go and I have to run to the loo desperately clenching. Luckily this hasn't happened yet when I'm out but I'm worried it will.

I am trying to remember to do lots of pelvic floor exercises as I'm guessing due to the delivery it has affected the back of my pelvic floor rather than the front (no problems stopping wee mid flow).

Just wondered if this is common and how long before people re-gained control?

Thanks.

I had this, also back to back baby, epidural and instrumental delivery (forceps for me). The worst was definitely over by my 8 week check but if I'm honest, despite pelvic floor exercises everyday, it's not really the same as pre-birth after over 3 years SO - go to your GP now and pester for a referral, even if it's initially just to physio. Pre 6/8 week check you'll get little sympathy or help (probably) so be firm about what you need.

The system is brilliant at brushing over complications so you won't be frightened by vaginal birth but this lovely side-effect was particularly shocking and unexpected - well, for me anyway. (Oh, try to poo before you go out, realising you're not going to make the toilet is NOT pleasant (spare knicks in the changing bag are useful too).

Not much you can do about the wind - I've got very used to talking loudly when I'm at risk of doing it, eg: standing up. NOTHING will mask how mortified I was at farting loudly and repeatedly in front of my BIL who had come to visit me and DD when still in hospital. I genuinely was as surprised at the sound as him - couldn't feel a thing.

Good luck, you have my sympathy.

This is not common and not normal. It does not mean that it can't get better. It sounds as if there is damage to the anal sphincter which needs to be evaluated. This is a job for a gynaecologist and/or a colorectal surgeon. What a womans health physio can do is ensure that your pelvic floor exercises are being done in the most effective way. She also has access to other treatments to maximise healing. Ask for an urgent referral to both gynae and physio.

Thanks for your replies. I feel a bit worried now, I assumed it would just get better once everything was healed. I shall make an appointment with my gp on Monday.

Had similar too after backtoback.

It will get better ime after few more weeks and everything's healed.

In the meantime fennel is very good for wind - bulb and seeds. Mint

This happened to me too. Straightforward delivery, episiotomy and second degree tear. Had several knicker changing episodes, v embarrassing.
By 6 weeks was much better and 3 months entirely normal. I'd keep dong those pelvic floor exercises and wait for the 6 week check. Chances are it'll be much better by then, don't panic!

Thanks electric and mince pies,much more reassuring! I do feel like I'm gradually regaining muscle control so hopefully it is just a matter of time.

Thanks for the fennel tip. I'm not so worried about the sound as the smell! I am a bit constipated post childbirth so making for some pretty foul smells, sorry tmi! I'm eating lots of fruit etc but at the same time don't want to encourage things too much as I don't want to get caught out in public.

I shall continue with the pelvic floors. Thanks again.